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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
challenging
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Charming, clever, funny, as all her books are. A little slow to get going, but once it does it sweeps you along quickly.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had no idea what a "Gaudy" was before reading this, and taking ones "Firsts" or comprehending what scouts or a warden might mean to a college left me similarly confused. Adding to my language problem, I found it difficult to relate to the atmosphere of a women's college in the 1930s and the implications of women pursuing a higher education in that era. If the novel had been written in recent times, and I were spoon fed all I needed to know about those prejudices, I might have fared better, but the novel is a product of its generation and I, of mine. Other difficulties, for me, were the frequent use of Latin, allusions to classic works of art, music and poetry, and the extent to which this novel relies upon the reader's empathy for social customs and rituals which no longer exist.
I had a difficult time finding something to hook me in this story. The plot is not particularly exciting and the relationship between Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane is more intellectual then romantic. Ultimately, I stayed with it because I like being challenged and I have enjoyed other works by Sayers that I've read. I recommend "Gaudy Night" more to British readers and to students of Great Books (because of the many allusions) than to the general American mystery reader.
I had a difficult time finding something to hook me in this story. The plot is not particularly exciting and the relationship between Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane is more intellectual then romantic. Ultimately, I stayed with it because I like being challenged and I have enjoyed other works by Sayers that I've read. I recommend "Gaudy Night" more to British readers and to students of Great Books (because of the many allusions) than to the general American mystery reader.
I loved this book, partly because I loved the setting -- a woman's college at Oxford in the 1930's. But the characters were also great, and mysteries are just perfect beach reads. I haven't gotten into Sayers's other books, mostly because I realize that I much, much prefer Harriet Vane to Lord Peter Wimsey.
Very beautifully written, and a lovely story. I found the solution to the mystery a little unsatisfying, but the interaction between Harriet and Peter was really excellent.
I've been wanting to read this book for years and was mostly entertained. At times it felt overly long in the the lead up to the predictable conclusion (I was able to deduce the culprit), as well as the characters not being fully fleshed out. But I appreciated the descriptions of Oxford and am sure I'll read another in the series at some point in the future.
2.5
2.5
The mystery starts "Harriet Vane sat at her writing-table and stared out into Mecklenburg Square"...
I read a biography ('Square Haunting' by Francesca Wade) last year that touched on the lives of several women who lived around Mecklenburg Square in London between the two world wars, including Dorothy Sayers. She was quite the achiever so I thought I'd read a couple of her mysteries. 'Gaudy Night' isn't a typical mystery, but I don't want to say too much because of spoilers. She wrote it in 1937. It doesn't seem dated and reading a contemporary account about the issues of women trying to break into academia was really interesting. And a little Oxford 'porn' is fun as so many of the landmarks never change. Overall, I liked it but it's not a particular standout.
I read a biography ('Square Haunting' by Francesca Wade) last year that touched on the lives of several women who lived around Mecklenburg Square in London between the two world wars, including Dorothy Sayers. She was quite the achiever so I thought I'd read a couple of her mysteries. 'Gaudy Night' isn't a typical mystery, but I don't want to say too much because of spoilers. She wrote it in 1937. It doesn't seem dated and reading a contemporary account about the issues of women trying to break into academia was really interesting. And a little Oxford 'porn' is fun as so many of the landmarks never change. Overall, I liked it but it's not a particular standout.